Call for Avoiding Drastic Reaction

EghtesadOnline: Iran needs to avoid extreme reciprocal action in response to the United States' withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, as the American administration desires to drag the country into violence, a lawmaker said.

News ID: ۷۴۷۲۹۷

11 May 2019

"We need to avoid any measure that would subject the country to Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter," Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told ICANA on Tuesday.

Chapter VII authorizes UN-mandated external action against a country that is recognized as a threat to peace, according to Financial Tribune.

Washington last year pulled out of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and reimposed the lifted sanctions. It has been taking a series of strict measures against Iran ever since as part of its so-called "maximum pressure campaign".

The latest moves include a complete ban on Iranian oil exports, blacklisting of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and revocation of some nuclear waivers.

On Sunday, US National Security Adviser John Bolton announced that Washington is deploying an aircraft carrier group and a bomber taskforce to the Middle East, while stressing that they do not seek war with Iran.

Falahatpisheh advised against any reciprocal measure that would give the US grounds to convince other countries to align against Iran.

"Today, we can pursue our goals without adopting measures in violation of international regulations … Preventing other countries from politically siding with the US is a diplomatic victory," he said.

He suggested that Iran enter into negotiations with the remaining parties to JCPOA and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Pursuing nuclear development policies within the frameworks of IAEA and the regulations of JCPOA should be on the agenda," he said.

On Wednesday, Iran announced the first phase of its countermeasures, saying it had started scaling back parts of its commitments under the nuclear deal and would do more if world powers did not protect it from US sanctions.